Liberia: Boakai reshuffles Defense and Commerce

Former Justice Minister Oswald Natu Tweh has been appointed interim Minister of Defense, replacing Geraldine J. George. Stephen Marka Yekeson Jr. takes over as interim head of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, succeeding Magdalene E. Dagoseh.

The presidency stated that Geraldine George and Magdalene Dagoseh are to be reassigned to other roles. The announcement did not specify the reasons for their removal from their respective ministries.

The same reshuffle affects several other institutions. Christopher Ben Bailey has been appointed interim superintendent of Grand Gedeh County, while Mike Khailelu B. Jabateh becomes interim deputy director general in charge of communications at the National Food Assistance Agency.

Daniel Frank Gould II has also been appointed as a member of the board of commissioners of the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission. This appointment is subject to confirmation by the Liberian Senate.

Boakai has also suspended Frederick S. Cooper, the deputy minister for administration at the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, for a period of 60 days without pay. The presidency attributes this action to conduct deemed incompatible with his status as a public official.